Boorrrringggg Build/Rebuild/Refres&restore

[puskrat]

Boring Project - Why make it interesting? Tossing in suspension butchering

Overwintering, Got Dora out of the body shop of my now former eemployer, and she's been through two snowfalls in my drive as i pr epare to move her indoors. Reading ( I know, nasty habit) about a Long chopper, I got to wondering about my suspension options. Ive accumulated many ideas about that topic, including lowering my rear by "hardtailing" with solid steel struts replacing my shocks. I already plan to mount a cushy seat with gel n springs. Most of my thoughts previously have been toward restoring to stock, but Ive no love for the couch a PO added from a Venturer. That plan also puts me in place to adjust my front suspension. i tried to get my mind around the related tech tip. but its not happening. I've looked for previous posts on lowering forks, but never found anything I could understand. They re there, but I cant uderstand them. As I said, 'm going back to searching. whoever knows where there is a "front suspension for real dummies" thread should feel free to link it whilst I look. Also, IIRC, Removing the swingarm on an eleven is a seriously bad idea for the drive train. am I begging troubles by pulling the shocky springy pieces off my back and replacing them with solids?

[jetmechmarty]

IMHO, even if you do manage to pull off what you're thinking about, you will not be interested in it for long. If you decide to unload it, it will be as parts. We've seen it on here many times. Most XS11 choppers don't get finished. Keep the suspension.

If you want a chopper, you should me able to find a cheap Harley to do it. You'll be more accepted with the chopper crowd on that as well.

[DiverRay]

+1 with Marty
You can look for shorter rear shocks, no more that 1", to lower the rear. Front forks loosen the bolts that hold them in the triple trees and let them slide down a little. To do this safely, have a jack under the engine while the bike is on a center stand and slowly lower the jack once the bolts are loose. Keep both forks the same distance from the top of the fork to the top triple tree, such as 1/2", 3/4", etc. to get over about 3/4", you will need to install barbacks or something like that to keep the handlebars out of the way.
You WILL need to shorten the sidestand so the bike still leans over when parked.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there,

Like Marty said, if you lower the rear too much, the angle of the driveshaft will be to much and put undue stress on the u-joints. A fellow in my town/area hardtailed his 11, and I've ridden it, with a large rear tire, it's still shaft drive so not that large, but it does provide some cushion, but still should only be ridden on smooth roads. Taking bumpy curves with a hard tail is a formula for disaster waiting to happen. BTW, you don't have very many or big POT HOLES up there in Illinois do you!

Now you have me confused, one moment you're talking about lowering the front end, next you're talking about making it a CHOPPER which usually involves extending the front end/forks??

I've got a photo that shows the appearance of the specials with stock forks, 4" overs and 6" overs upper fork tubes to let you see how it could look WITHOUT changing the RAKE of the steering neck. The photos are on my desktop, I'm on my laptop right now, will post to this thread in a while.

T.C.

[puskrat]

k gang. Thanks for your wisdom. Even after allowing for some "purist bias", I cant talk myself out of following your advice. I'm becoming something of one myself. I've never be a fan of the cheesy rider long bikes, but magazines and letting the designer inside me run wild got me edgy. Before this morning's login I was thinkin drop the back lift the front. I defiitely wont be going to shorter rears (clearance), so lowering is a non topic going forward. All i really need is a garage heater.

ETA yeah the lowering to raising chnge is a long story, so with my kb behving in the manner it is, i omitted it. Sorry for passing my mental mess on.

[jetmechmarty]

k gang. Thanks for your wisdom. Even after allowing for some "purist bias",

Speaking for myself, it's not purist bias. Old Japanese motorcycles are ripe for customizing. The shaft drive XS11 is a poor chopper candidate. It's pretty porky for a cafe racer. Just the same, I have some ideas about what I might do with a couple of junk Specials.